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Early Observations and Modern Ephemerides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2016

E.M. Standish Jr*
Affiliation:
Caltech/JPL, Pasadena, U.S.A.

Abstract

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There is a great variety of planetary and lunar observations recorded throughout history. Even today, some of these are useful for the improvement of ephemerides, though one must use a lot of judgment and caution - for surprising reasons. Five different sets of observations are presented, each with a story and a lesson: Galileo’s observations of Neptune, Lalande’s observations of Neptune, Williams’ measurements of the 1780 solar eclipse, Robertson’s 1811 transit timings, and solar eclipses in general.

Type
II. Joint Discussions
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Pacific 2002

References

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